A Surf or Sound Realty vacation rental home can be a fabulous locale for a Hatteras Island wedding, rehearsal dinner, or reception. With all the amenities you’ll need for an exceptional event right at home, many couples find that rental home weddings are simpler and more laid back than the average wedding. Perhaps best of all, you can enjoy your home, and your vacation, long after the reception is over.

Before you book your dream home, however, there are a few key questions and tips to bear in mind as you browse through our portfolio of vacation homes that allow weddings and special events.

Think about the amenities you’ll need: Would it be convenient to have multiple wet bars or an elevator? Do you need easy access to the beach for an oceanfront ceremony? Jot down a list of the amenities that would be the most beneficial, and use it as a guideline as you narrow your search.

Think about benefits and restrictions: The joy of using a rental home for a wedding event is that it’s perfect for intimate wedding parties of a couple dozen family member and friends. Wedding homes are not conducive, however, for large affairs with several hundred guests. If your island wedding is a grand scale celebration, look into local island sites that cater to large events, and simply book a vacation home to enjoy before and after the celebration.

Think about accommodations for your guests: A benefit of having a wedding or reception at a vacation home is that many Surf or Sound Realty homes are grouped together in small communities and neighborhoods, making it easy for your guests to find accommodations for their visit. While booking your home, send an email or card to your guests letting them know where your vacation home is located, and allowing them to find appropriate lodgings nearby. Your guests can also call us at (800) 237-1138, and our vacation specialists will be happy to help them find the right rental home, near the ceremony or reception site, for their island stay.

Think about a second week: Because the majority of vacation rental homes are Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday rentals, it might be a good idea to book two weeks, giving the wedding party plenty of time to prepare before the ceremony, and plenty of time to relax and enjoy their vacation afterwards.

Above all else, consider what your dream wedding entails, and use that information to decide if a rental home is a good fit. If you’re planning an intimate island ceremony and reception that’s simple but tasteful, then a vacation rental home might just be the perfect fit.